by Cheryl Kottke

Created on: August 25, 2009   Last Updated: August 28, 2009

Diabetes is one of America's number one killers and if not properly controlled by diet and, if needed, medication, can cause kidney failure, gangrene of the feet and legs, blindness, coma and death.

Diabetes is a complex metabolic disorder in which insulin production is inadequate or ineffective. The pancreas fails to produce insulin in a response to a rise in blood sugar which occurs when food is eaten and absorbed through the intestinal tract. Insulin and glucagon are two hormones synthesized by the pancreas. Insulin regulates carbohydrate metabolism by removing excess glucose or sugar from the blood and glucagon has the opposite effect as insulin, it increases the blood sugar instead of decreasing it.

The liver secretes glucagon, which raises the blood sugar level by stimulating the breakdown of glycogen, stored carbohydrates in the liver. Glycogen is store in the liver until the blood sugar level drops and then it is reconverted into glucose by the influence of insulin for energy. When insulin is inadequate, glucose builds up in the blood resulting in diabetes.

The cause of diabetes is unknown, but there does seem to be a genetic factor involved that tends to predispose some toward diabetes more than others. Also, a diet that is too high in calories may be a factor and the risk of developing diabetes seems to be about four times greater for a person who is obese. Obesity may cause fat cells to become insensitive to insulin causing the failure of insulin to remove excess sugar from the blood. Removal or injury to the pancreas as well as disorders of other endocrine glands can result in diabetes. Experts believe that being obese plays a larger role in developing diabetes than a diet that is too high in sugar.

There are two types of Diabetes, Diabetes Mellitus and Diabetes Insipidus. Diabetes Insipidus is characterized by excessive urination and is caused by a diseased pituitary gland or its nervous pathways. Diabetes Mellitus is the most common type. There are two types of Diabetes Mellitus, juvenile diabetes (growth-onset) and adult diabetes (maturity-onset). Juvenile diabetes usually effects children between the ages of 0 to 14 and almost always requires insulin. Juvenile diabetes is the most difficult to control. Diabetes occurs in all age groups but the greatest occurrence is in middle aged adults. Adult diabetes occurs in the age group of 40 years and over and approximately 85% of the growth-onset diabetics are obese. Adult diabetes is easier to control

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